Edge construction for desk tops and the like



Nov. 1, 1932. F. A. SCHMITZ 1,385,554

EDGE CONSTRUCTION FOR DESK TOPS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1930 Pfg. 2

Fred A Schmitz Patented Nov. l., 1932 UNITED STATES PATENr OFFICE N FRED A. SCHMITZ, OF CANTON, OHIO, AFSSIGNOR TOREPUBLIC STEEL CORPORATION, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIOfA CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY i EDGtE` CONSTRUCTION .FOR DESK TOPS AND THE LIKE Application filed May 10, 1930. Serial No. 451,268.

This invention relates to a novel edge construction for desk and table `tops and the like.

An object'of the 'invention is to provide a tableor desk top having a lightweight rigid edge'c'onstruction, whichv isneat and attractive in appearance.

Another object of the invention is to proy vide an edge construction for desk and table tops, consisting of a minimum number of inf, eXpensively manufactured parts, which may be quickly and readily assembled without th-e aid of special tools or the use of screws, nuts,

bolts or other fastening devices.

Vith the above and other objects in View,

which Will be more readily apparent as ythe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment v of the invention is shown inthe accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a desk top showing the manner in which thebinding strips are applied to the edges thereof;

Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview of one corner of the desk top; Y p

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectionalview through the edge of the desk top, taken on the line of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the binding strips, prior to being applied to the edges of the desk top and bent into the desired shape. Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein like reference characters desig nate like parts throughout the several figures, the desk top includes a metal top plate l, to the upper surface of which is secured, as by cement, a linoleum cover 2, the edges of which are beveled as at 2a.

Secured as by spot welding to the lower surface of the top plate 1, near the edges thereof, are edge reinforcing members 3, each of which comprises anattaching'flange 3a, a vertical web portion 3b, an inclined portion 30, a depending apron 3d and an inwardly ei;- tending flange 3e. y The space between the top plate 1 and the vertical web portion 3b and inclined portion 3c of the edge reinforcing member 3 provides a pocket or recess A. into which resilient prongs 3f, struck up from the metal of the inclined portion 30, extend. These prongs serve a purposeto be presently described. f The ends of the edge reinforcing members 3 are mitredto permit Vthem to be readily assembled to provide .in effect a continuous rigid reinforcing frame, as shown in Fig. 1.v In practice, the mitred joints are acetylene welded and ground to provide a smooth iinished corner, as shown in Fig. 2v.

Binding strips 4, preferably of Vbrass or bronze, abut the edges ofthe top plate 1;

Each of these binding strips is of angle crosssection, having a horizontal leg 4a and an inclined leg 4b. Portions of the horizontal legs 4a are cut away as at B to facilitate bending of the binding strips into the U-shaped form shown in Fig. 1. The inclined legs 4b of the binding strips conceal and protect the beveled edges 2a of the linoleum cover 2.

The binding strips 4f are applied to the'J edges of the desk top by forcing the horizontal legs 4a thereof into the recesses or pockets A, and in so doing, the prongs 3f are forced downward, but owing to their inherent re.- siliency, spring back into the soft metal of the binding strips, as shown in Fig. 3, and se'- curely hold the binding strips in contact with the edges of the top plate 1 and the linoleum cover 2. The ends of the binding stripsmay be bent into engagement with the edges of the desk top in the manner shown in Fig. 2.

Itis thus seen that a lightweight rigid edge construction is provided, which is neat and attractive in appearance, and which may be 'niv quickly and readily assembled wthoutthe aid cured to the lower surface of said plate and having an inclined portion spaced from said top plate and providing with a horizontal portion of the top plate a pocket or recess adapted to receive a portion of a binding strip, and means formed integrally with said inclined portion and adapted to engage said binding strip and maintain the same in xed position. Y

` 2. In an edge construction for desk tops and the like, a top plate, a reinforcing mem-l ber secured to the lower surface of said plate and having a portion spaced from said top plate and providing with a horizontal portion of the top plate a pocket or recess adapted to receive a portion of a binding strip, and means integrally formed with the said spaced portion of the reinforcing member extending into said recess and adapted to engage the portion of the binding strip disposed in said pocket or recess.

3. In an edge construction for desk tops and the like, a top plate, a reinforcing member secured to the lower surface of said plate and having a portion spaced from said top plate .and providing rwith a horizontal portion of the top plate a pocket or recess adapted to receive a portion of a binding strip, and prongs mounted on said reinforcing member and extending into said pocket or recess i adapted to engage the binding strip.

4. A construction as defined in claim 3, in whch said prongs are formed by striking up portions of the spaced portion of said reinforcing member.

5. In an edge construct-ion for desk tops and the like, a top plate, a reinforcing'member secured to the lower surface of said plate and having an inclined portion spaced from saidtop plate and providing with al horizontal portion of the top plate a pocket or recess, and a binding strip having a horizontal portion extending into said pocket or recess, and means formed integrally with said inclined'portion and adapted to engage said binding strip and maintain the same in fixed position.

6. In an edge construction for desk tops and the like, a top plate, a reinforcing mem b er secured to the lower surface of said alate and having a por-tion spaced from said top plate and lproviding with a horizontal portion of the top plateV a pocket or recess, a binding strip having a horizontal portion disposed in said pocket or recess, and means integrally formed with the spaced portion of said reinforcing member extending into said pocket or recess and engaging said binding strip to hold the Ylatter securely in position.

7. In an edge construction for desk tops and the like, a top plate, a reinforcing member secured to the lower surface of said plate and havinga portion spaced from said'top plate and providing with a horizontal portion ofthe top plate a pocket or recess, a binding strip having a horizontal portion disposed in said pocket or recess, and prongs mounted on said reinforcing member and extending into said pocket or recess and engaging said binding strip to hold the latter securely in position.

8. A construction as defined in claim 7 in which said prongs are formed by striking up portions of the spaced portion ofvsaid reinforcing member.` Y

9. In an edge construction for desk tops and the like, a top plate, a reinforcing member secured to the lower surface of said plate and having a vertical portion spaced inwardly from the edge of the top plate, said reinforcing member having an inclined portion ex tending from Ithe lower end of the vertical portion thereof to a point adjacent the edge of the top plate, and a second vertical portion disposed beneath the edge of the top plate.

l0. In an edge construction for desk tops and the like, a top plate, a reinforcing member secured to the lower surface of said plate and having a vertical portion spaced inwardly from' the edge of the top plate, an inclined portion extending from the lower end of said vertical portion to a point adjacent the edge of the top plate, and a second vertical portion disposed beneath the edge of the top plate, and a binding striphaving a horizontal portion disposed between the inclined portion of the reinforcing member and the top plate.

ll. A construction as defined in claim 10, in which the inclined portion of the reinforcing member is provided with prongs which engage the horizontal portion of the binding strip. l

12. A construction as defined in claim 10, in which the inclined portion of the reinforcing member is provided with prongs which engage the horizontal portion of the binding strip, said prongs being formed by striking up portions of the inclined portion of the reinforcing member.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

FRED A. SCHMITZ.

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